Hoosier Energy Announces Tentative Plans For New Owen Facility

Development Of Site On S.R. 43 Likely To Begin In September

A 95-acre tract of land located on State Road 43 South just east of Spencer is the proposed site of a new operations facility for Hoosier Energy. (Staff Photo) Hoosier Energy is seeking local approvals needed to locate a power delivery and operations facility at a 95-acre site in Owen County. Investment at the proposed location is expected to be in the $25-million to $30-million range.

The site is located on State Road 43 near the intersection with State Road 46. Hoosier Energy, the power supplier for 18 electric cooperatives in central and southern Indiana and southeastern Illinois, is considering construction of offices, warehouses, maintenance and vehicle service and storage facilities, a communications tower and other operations facilities at the site.

More than 60 employees would be based at the new location. Following a yearlong site evaluation process in a multi-county area, the Owen County property was selected for the proposed facility due to proximity to transmission and substation assets, good transportation access, space for future growth, and support from community leaders.

The proposed operations facility is part of a long-range plan recently adopted by the power supply cooperative’s board of directors.

Negotiations continue on a few remaining issues. Hoosier Energy hopes to resolve those issues soon and break ground on the project later in 2012. Current plans call for construction to be completed in late 2013.

Two Hoosier Energy member cooperatives serve consumers in Owen County including Martinsville based South Central Indiana REMC and Bloomfield-based Utilities District of Western Indiana REMC.

Hoosier Energy is a generation and transmission cooperative (G&T) with headquarters in Bloomington, Indiana. The G&T provides electric power and other services to 18 electric distribution cooperatives, which collectively meet the electricity needs of more than 750,000 residents, businesses, industries and farms. Hoosier Energy, Indiana’s first power supply cooperative, operates five power plants, two renewable energy plants and a transmission network that includes 1,700 miles of high-voltage lines, 21 primary substations and more than 350 delivery points. For more information, visit www.hepn.com

In addition, Hoosier Energy provides training, key accounts, marketing, communications and technical services to its member cooperatives. Hoosier Energy and its members are cooperative businesses that provide reliable, affordable electric power and carry on a long-standing commitment to improve the quality of life in local communities.

“The estimated economic impact, which factors in not just the investment, but the ripple effect, you can expect approximately another 54 secondary jobs added to other businesses just to serve this new facility. Anything from security to restaurant jobs, created just from this facility coming here,” Owen County Chamber of Commerce & Economic Development Corporation Executive Director Denise Shaw said. “ The economic impact, over a 10 year period of time, n factoring in money spent and homes bought from jobs created, is estimated at $260 million from money being spent over and over in the community. We have set formulas that are set at industry standards, so this is quite a profound investment. We’re very excited Hoosier Energy has found us and if anyone understands economic development in rural indiana it would be them, because they serve rural constituents of southern Indiana. They are historically a very good community partner, they have an excellent reputation and have been in business for more than 60 years. Once they are here, they won’t be going anywhere any time soon, which means stability.”